Contacting your MP
You may feel that you would like to write to your MP,
MSP (Member of Scottish Parliament) or MEP (Member of the European Parliament) about the
extension of the Newborn Screening programme in the UK.
There is no doubt that the families of children affected and members of the
public can make a real difference in raising the profile
of newborn screening and the need to extend
the Newborn Screening programme in the UK, by writing
personally to their MP. It is always advisable to write
to your own Constituency MP. With that in mind, there
are several points to remember when writing a letter.
Tips on Writing
Letters About Newborn Screening Issues
-
If you have a child with a disorder that could have
been detected and treated earlier through newborn
screening, include a photo of your child
-
Identify your child by name
-
Include your personal story
-
Identify yourself as an ordinary member of the
public, a family member, a health professional or an
advocate
-
Include a return address on the letter
-
Personalize the letter to show your depth of concern
-
Be positive and respectful. One of the largest
mistakes a family can make in dealing with
professionals is to appear to be attacking the
person
-
Be clear, stating exactly what is wanted from your
MP
-
Ask for a written response that states their
position on the issue
-
Thank them for his/her time on the issue
-
Try and keep the letter to one page if possible
-
Show that you are familiar and knowledgeable on the
subject
-
If necessary, you can
contact us for help
with your letter
-
Send a copy of the letter to the appropriate
organizations involved in the issue
-
Send a 'thank you' when you receive a response
-
Encourage your friends and families to send letters
too
Other websites
containing helpful information on contacting your MP
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